Stadelman-backed bill to crack down on human trafficking signed into law

A measure to fight human trafficking in Illinois by requiring more training on the issue and enacting stronger penalties has been signed into law by the governor. State Senator Steve Stadelman voted in favor of the Lodging Establishment Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act, which requires hotels and motels to train their employees on how to recognize human trafficking and how to alert authorities.

Hotels and motels have been shown to be popular locations for human trafficking.

Senate Bill 1890, which took effect immediately, also requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to provide training for police officers to detect human trafficking and extends the statute of limitations for all offenses related to human trafficking to 25 years.

Stadelman commends governor for executive order to ensure full 2020 Census count

State Senator Steve Stadelman expressed his support this week for Gov. JB Pritzker's signing of an executive order that provides resources to ensure a full count in the upcoming 2020 Census.

The executive order, according to Stadelman, builds on a $29 million budget appropriation by the Illinois General Assembly by establishing a new Census Office within the Illinois Department of Human Services to administer grant funding and conduct outreach and education. Pritzker's order also creates a 12-member Census Advisory Panel that will advise the Census Office on how best to reach hard-to-count communities.

"The importance of an accurate and complete count cannot be understated," Stadelman said. "The census not only determines political representation but has a direct economic impact, and communities with high numbers of black and Latino residents are historically overlooked."

Illinois could lose up to two congressional seats and billions in federal dollars if there is an undercount. The 2020 Census officially begins on April 1, 2020.

Congratulations to the Rock Valley College women's softball team after winning its 6th straight NJCAA Division III national championship! We've seen back-to-back and 3-peat champions in the sports world. But 6 in a row?! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 I was honored to present each player and coach with an Illinois Senate Certificate of Recognition during a celebration this afternoon.

It was my privilege today to present to Jo Minor and Claire McIntyre a Senate proclamation marking the 100th anniversary of Illinois ratifying the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote. Illinois, along with Wisconsin and Michigan, were the first states in the nation to grant women suffrage.Congratulations to Jo for recently assuming the presidency of the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford from Claire and thank you to Claire for her service!